Question for the collective here

[Scott Douglas]

What kind of driver is used to install this?
I'd like to take it apart without messing it up totally.
Thanks.

[908/930]

Search tri groove socket.

[Seahawk]

Less than five minutes.

Wow.

What is the advantage?

[pwd72s]

Learn something every day here...never heard of 'em.

https://www.losspreventionfasteners.com/store/products/t-groove-tamper-proof-nuts/?keyword_session_id=vt~adwords|kt~tri%20Groove|mt~ e|ta~&_vsrefdom=wordstream&msclkid=c41ef017a3be12785a919465f0ef72a3

[Steve Carlton]

[otto_kretschmer]

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/sockets/?s=tri-groove+sockets

[Bill Douglas]

I was once at a home depot type place and there was a tool case full of weird security bits - like what would fit the above screw. I thought "What the hell, it's only ten bucks"." Plus it has many hex keys and pozi drive etc. I've used it hundreds of time'.

They put annoying screws like that in small electrical appliances too so you can't get them apart to fix them.

[Scott Douglas]

I just knew you guys would know the answer.

THANKS!

[Scott Douglas]

A quick update on this little problem.
I finally was able to get all the screws out of the transformer.
The guys in the link wanted >$70 for a set of four sockets that would work on various sizes of the screws. I'm not that rich (Hell, I drive an appliance car according to Glenn), so I resorted to other means of removal.
I super glued 4-40 nuts to the tops of the screws. Took a few tries at gluing, but I got the last of them out this morning so the box is open for repairs now.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Less than five minutes.

Wow.

What is the advantage?

Tamper deterrent

Do you have screwdriver like that in your toolbox?

[pwd72s]

Wish I'd known the fasteners size...in the OP, I assumed they were larger fasteners. In the interest of closing the barn door after the horses got out, I suggest you buy this set. I have one...not many screws out there that I can't turn.

https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Ultimate-Screwdriver-Carbon-Security/dp/B074R2SXBM/ref=asc_df_B074R2SXBM?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814156492390&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413735835103&psc=1

[Scott Douglas]

Yeah, I kind of messed up in the original post not giving some sort of size ref as to how small these are.
I don't see anything in that set that you linked to that would remove these.

[dad911]

Could you have cut a slot with a dremel and used a flat screwdriver to remove?

[Scott Douglas]

That's what the internet says to use but, I don't have one and the likelihood of me messing up the housing was just too great to risk it. These screws are made of a tough material. Dragging a hack saw and file across the heads didn't even leave a mark on them.

[pwd72s]

Scott, see the set pic again...click to enlarge. See the flat U shaped (forked) bits? I'm thinking that one of those would get enough purchase on 2 of the 3 screw grooves to gain a purchase. The screws don't look like they need a lot of torque to unfasten.

Also...hey, can't have too many tools, right? I'm sure you'd find such a bit set handy over the years.

(edit) But hey...you glue trick worked. So, whatever works, right?

[Scott Douglas]

You would think so Paul, but they've figured out the angles of the drive slots such that you can't get a purchase on them with only two edges. It really takes all three.
My gluing method worked out OK, just took a few times of having too much glue for it to set properly, even waiting 24 hrs over night.

[pwd72s]

Yeppers! And now, as long as the glue holds, you can now get a grip on the little bastids.

[Scott Douglas]

They're all out now and won't be going back in. I'll use regular sheet metal screws.

[Scott Douglas]

In thinking about how I'd do this again, if my other controller needs to be opened up, I think I'd coat the surrounding sheet metal with something like Vaseline and JB Weld nuts that would just surround the heads of the screws. Force the JB Weld into the three drive areas to form a mechanical means of applying the torque. Setting the nuts on top didn't really give a mechanical lock, it totally relied on the glue shear strength to apply the torque.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

tool case full of weird security bits - like what would fit the above screw.

The case of screw driver bits I mentioned fits those. Next time you guys see a set, buy it.